第7章
OncomingdownstairsIfoundMrsForresterwaitingformeattheentrancetothedining—parlour；shedrewmein，andwhenthedoorwasshut，shetriedtwoorthreetimestobeginonsomesubject，whichwassounapproachableapparently，thatIbegantodespairofourevergettingtoaclearunderstanding。Atlastoutitcame；
thepooroldladytremblingallthetimeasifitwereagreatcrimewhichshewasexposingtodaylight，intellingmehowvery，verylittleshehadtoliveupon；aconfessionwhichshewasbroughttomakefromadreadlestweshouldthinkthatthesmallcontributionnamedinherpaperboreanyproportiontoherloveandregardforMissMatty。Andyetthatsumwhichshesoeagerlyrelinquishedwas，intruth，morethanatwentiethpartofwhatshehadtoliveupon，andkeephouse，andalittleserving—maid，allasbecameonebornaTyrrell。Andwhenthewholeincomedoesnotnearlyamounttoahundredpounds，togiveupatwentiethofitwillnecessitatemanycarefuleconomies，andmanypiecesofself—
denial，smallandinsignificantintheworld’saccount，butbearingadifferentvalueinanotheraccount—bookthatIhaveheardof。
Shedidsowishshewasrich，shesaid，andthiswishshekeptrepeating，withnothoughtofherselfinit，onlywithalonging，yearningdesiretobeabletoheapupMissMatty’smeasureofcomforts。
ItwassometimebeforeIcouldconsoleherenoughtoleaveher；
andthen，onquittingthehouse，IwaswaylaidbyMrsFitz—Adam，whohadalsoherconfidencetomakeofprettynearlytheoppositedescription。Shehadnotlikedtoputdownallthatshecouldaffordandwasreadytogive。ShetoldmeshethoughtshenevercouldlookMissMattyinthefaceagainifshepresumedtobegivinghersomuchassheshouldliketodo。"MissMatty！"
continuedshe，"thatIthoughtwassuchafineyoungladywhenI
wasnothingbutacountrygirl，comingtomarketwitheggsandbutterandsuchlikethings。Formyfather，thoughwell—to—do，wouldalwaysmakemegoonasmymotherhaddonebeforeme，andI
hadtocomeintoCranfordeverySaturday，andseeaftersales，andprices，andwhatnot。Andoneday，Iremember，ImetMissMattyinthelanethatleadstoCombehurst；shewaswalkingonthefootpath，which，youknow，israisedagoodwayabovetheroad，andagentlemanrodebesideher，andwastalkingtoher，andshewaslookingdownatsomeprimrosesshehadgathered，andpullingthemalltopieces，andIdobelieveshewascrying。Butaftershehadpassed，sheturnedroundandranaftermetoask—oh，sokindly—
aboutmypoormother，wholayonherdeath—bed；andwhenIcriedshetookholdofmyhandtocomfortme—andthegentlemanwaitingforherallthetime—andherpoorheartveryfullofsomething，I
amsure；andIthoughtitsuchanhonourtobespokentointhatprettywaybytherector’sdaughter，whovisitedatArleyHall。I
havelovedhereversince，thoughperhapsI’dnorighttodoit；
butifyoucanthinkofanywayinwhichImightbeallowedtogivealittlemorewithoutanyoneknowingit，Ishouldbesomuchobligedtoyou，mydear。Andmybrotherwouldbedelightedtodoctorherfornothing—medicines，leeches，andall。Iknowthatheandherladyship（mydear，IlittlethoughtinthedaysIwastellingyouofthatIshouldevercometobesister—in—lawtoaladyship！）woulddoanythingforher。Weallwould。"
ItoldherIwasquitesureofit，andpromisedallsortsofthingsinmyanxietytogethometoMissMatty，whomightwellbewonderingwhathadbecomeofme—absentfromhertwohourswithoutbeingabletoaccountforit。Shehadtakenverylittlenoteoftime，however，asshehadbeenoccupiedinnumberlesslittlearrangementspreparatorytothegreatstepofgivingupherhouse。
Itwasevidentlyarelieftohertobedoingsomethinginthewayofretrenchment，for，asshesaid，whenevershepausedtothink，therecollectionofthepoorfellowwithhisbadfive—poundnotecameoverher，andshefeltquitedishonest；onlyifitmadehersouncomfortable，whatmustitnotbedoingtothedirectorsofthebank，whomustknowsomuchmoreofthemiseryconsequentuponthisfailure？Shealmostmademeangrybydividinghersympathybetweenthesedirectors（whomsheimaginedoverwhelmedbyself—reproachforthemismanagementofotherpeople’saffairs）andthosewhoweresufferinglikeher。Indeed，ofthetwo，sheseemedtothinkpovertyalighterburdenthanself—reproach；butIprivatelydoubtedifthedirectorswouldagreewithher。
Oldhoardsweretakenoutandexaminedastotheirmoneyvaluewhichluckilywassmall，orelseIdon’tknowhowMissMattywouldhaveprevaileduponherselftopartwithsuchthingsashermother’swedding—ring，thestrange，uncouthbroochwithwhichherfatherhaddisfiguredhisshirt—frill，&c。However，wearrangedthingsalittleinorderastotheirpecuniaryestimation，andwereallreadyformyfatherwhenhecamethenextmorning。
Iamnotgoingtowearyyouwiththedetailsofallthebusinesswewentthrough；andonereasonfornottellingaboutthemis，thatI
didnotunderstandwhatweweredoingatthetime，andcannotrecollectitnow。MissMattyandIsatassentingtoaccounts，andschemes，andreports，anddocuments，ofwhichIdonotbelieveweeitherofusunderstoodaword；formyfatherwasclear—headedanddecisive，andacapitalmanofbusiness，andifwemadetheslightestinquiry，orexpressedtheslightestwantofcomprehension，hehadasharpwayofsaying，"Eh？eh？it’sasdearasdaylight。What’syourobjection？"Andaswehadnotcomprehendedanythingofwhathehadproposed，wefounditratherdifficulttoshapeourobjections；infact，weneverweresureifwehadany。SopresentlyMissMattygotintoanervouslyacquiescentstate，andsaid"Yes，"and"Certainly，"ateverypause，whetherrequiredornot；butwhenIoncejoinedinaschorustoa"Decidedly，"pronouncedbyMissMattyinatremblinglydubioustone，myfatherfiredroundatmeandaskedme"Whattherewastodecide？"AndIamsuretothisdayIhaveneverknown。But，injusticetohim，ImustsayhehadcomeoverfromDrumbletohelpMissMattywhenhecouldillsparethetime，andwhenhisownaffairswereinaveryanxiousstate。
WhileMissMattywasoutoftheroomgivingordersforluncheon—
andsadlyperplexedbetweenherdesireofhonouringmyfatherbyadelicate，daintymeal，andherconvictionthatshehadnoright，nowthatallhermoneywasgone，toindulgethisdesire—ItoldhimofthemeetingoftheCranfordladiesatMissPole’sthedaybefore。HekeptbrushinghishandbeforehiseyesasIspoke—andwhenIwentbacktoMartha’soffertheeveningbefore，ofreceivingMissMattyasalodger，hefairlywalkedawayfrommetothewindow，andbegandrummingwithhisfingersuponit。Thenheturnedabruptlyround，andsaid，"See，Mary，howagood，innocentlifemakesfriendsallaround。Confoundit！IcouldmakeagoodlessonoutofitifIwereaparson；but，asitis，Ican’tgetatailtomysentences—onlyI’msureyoufeelwhatIwanttosay。
YouandIwillhaveawalkafterlunchandtalkabitmoreabouttheseplans。"
Thelunch—ahotsavourymutton—chop，andalittleofthecoldloinslicedandfried—wasnowbroughtin。Everymorselofthislastdishwasfinished，toMartha’sgreatgratification。ThenmyfatherbluntlytoldMissMattyhewantedtotalktomealone，andthathewouldstrolloutandseesomeoftheoldplaces，andthenI
couldtellherwhatplanwethoughtdesirable。Justbeforewewentout，shecalledmebackandsaid，"Remember，dear，I’mtheonlyoneleft—Imean，there’snoonetobehurtbywhatIdo。I’mwillingtodoanythingthat’srightandhonest；andIdon’tthink，ifDeborahknowswheresheis，she’llcaresoverymuchifI’mnotgenteel；because，yousee，she’llknowall，dear。OnlyletmeseewhatIcando，andpaythepoorpeopleasfarasI’mable。"
Igaveheraheartykiss，andranaftermyfather。Theresultofourconversationwasthis。Ifallpartieswereagreeable，MarthaandJemweretobemarriedwithaslittledelayaspossible，andtheyweretoliveoninMissMatty’spresentabode；thesumwhichtheCranfordladieshadagreedtocontributeannuallybeingsufficienttomeetthegreaterpartoftherent，andleavingMarthafreetoappropriatewhatMissMattyshouldpayforherlodgingstoanylittleextracomfortsrequired。Aboutthesale，myfatherwasdubiousatfirst。Hesaidtheoldrectoryfurniture，howevercarefullyusedandreverentlytreated，wouldfetchverylittle；andthatlittlewouldbebutasadropintheseaofthedebtsoftheTownandCountyBank。ButwhenIrepresentedhowMissMatty’stenderconsciencewouldbesoothedbyfeelingthatshehaddonewhatshecould，hegaveway；especiallyafterIhadtoldhimthefive—poundnoteadventure，andhehadscoldedmewellforallowingit。Ithenalludedtomyideathatshemightaddtohersmallincomebysellingtea；and，tomysurprise（forIhadnearlygivenuptheplan），myfathergraspedatitwithalltheenergyofatradesman。Ithinkhereckonedhischickensbeforetheywerehatched，forheimmediatelyranuptheprofitsofthesalesthatshecouldeffectinCranfordtomorethantwentypoundsayear。
Thesmalldining—parlourwastobeconvertedintoashop，withoutanyofitsdegradingcharacteristics；atablewastobethecounter；onewindowwastoberetainedunaltered，andtheotherchangedintoaglassdoor。Ievidentlyroseinhisestimationforhavingmadethisbrightsuggestion。IonlyhopedweshouldnotbothfallinMissMatty’s。
Butshewaspatientandcontentwithallourarrangements。Sheknew，shesaid，thatweshoulddothebestwecouldforher；andsheonlyhoped，onlystipulated，thatsheshouldpayeveryfarthingthatshecouldbesaidtoowe，forherfather’ssake，whohadbeensorespectedinCranford。MyfatherandIhadagreedtosayaslittleaspossibleaboutthebank，indeednevertomentionitagain，ifitcouldbehelped。Someoftheplanswereevidentlyalittleperplexingtoher；butshehadseenmesufficientlysnubbedinthemorningforwantofcomprehensiontoventureontoomanyinquiriesnow；andallpassedoverwellwithahopeonherpartthatnoonewouldbehurriedintomarriageonheraccount。Whenwecametotheproposalthatsheshouldselltea，Icouldseeitwasratherashocktoher；notonaccountofanypersonallossofgentilityinvolved，butonlybecauseshedistrustedherownpowersofactioninanewlineoflife，andwouldtimidlyhavepreferredalittlemoreprivationtoanyexertionforwhichshefearedshewasunfitted。However，whenshesawmyfatherwasbentuponit，shesighed，andsaidshewouldtry；andifshedidnotdowell，ofcourseshemightgiveitup。Onegoodthingaboutitwas，shedidnotthinkmeneverboughttea；anditwasofmenparticularlyshewasafraid。Theyhadsuchsharploudwayswiththem；anddidupaccounts，andcountedtheirchangesoquickly！Now，ifshemightonlysellcomfitstochildren，shewassureshecouldpleasethem！
CHAPTERXV—AHAPPYRETURN
BEFOREIleftMissMattyatCranfordeverythinghadbeencomfortablyarrangedforher。EvenMrsJamieson’sapprovalofhersellingteahadbeengained。ThatoraclehadtakenafewdaystoconsiderwhetherbysodoingMissMattywouldforfeitherrighttotheprivilegesofsocietyinCranford。IthinkshehadsomelittleideaofmortifyingLadyGlenmirebythedecisionshegaveatlast；
whichwastothiseffect：thatwhereasamarriedwomantakesherhusband’srankbythestrictlawsofprecedence，anunmarriedwomanretainsthestationherfatheroccupied。SoCranfordwasallowedtovisitMissMatty；and，whetherallowedornot，itintendedtovisitLadyGlenmire。
Butwhatwasoursurprise—ourdismay—whenwelearntthatMrandMRSHOGGINSwerereturningonthefollowingTuesday！MrsHoggins！
Hadsheabsolutelydroppedhertitle，andso，inaspiritofbravado，cutthearistocracytobecomeaHoggins！She，whomighthavebeencalledLadyGlenmiretoherdyingday！MrsJamiesonwaspleased。Shesaiditonlyconvincedherofwhatshehadknownfromthefirst，thatthecreaturehadalowtaste。But"thecreature"
lookedveryhappyonSundayatchurch；nordidweseeitnecessarytokeepourveilsdownonthatsideofourbonnetsonwhichMrandMrsHogginssat，asMrsJamiesondid；therebymissingallthesmilinggloryofhisface，andallthebecomingblushesofhers。I
amnotsureifMarthaandJemlookedmoreradiantintheafternoon，whenthey，too，madetheirfirstappearance。MrsJamiesonsoothedtheturbulenceofhersoulbyhavingtheblindsofherwindowsdrawndown，asifforafuneral，onthedaywhenMrandMrsHogginsreceivedcallers；anditwaswithsomedifficultythatshewasprevailedupontocontinuetheSTJAMES’SCHRONICLE，soindignantwasshewithitshavinginsertedtheannouncementofthemarriage。
MissMatty’ssalewentofffamously。Sheretainedthefurnitureofhersitting—roomandbedroom；theformerofwhichshewastooccupytillMarthacouldmeetwithalodgerwhomightwishtotakeit；andintothissitting—roomandbedroomshehadtocramallsortsofthings，whichwere（theauctioneerassuredher）boughtinforheratthesalebyanunknownfriend。IalwayssuspectedMrsFitz—Adamofthis；butshemusthavehadanaccessory，whoknewwhatarticleswereparticularlyregardedbyMissMattyonaccountoftheirassociationswithherearlydays。Therestofthehouselookedratherbare，tobesure；allexceptonetinybedroom，ofwhichmyfatherallowedmetopurchasethefurnitureformyoccasionaluseincaseofMissMatty’sillness。
Ihadexpendedmyownsmallstoreinbuyingallmannerofcomfitsandlozenges，inordertotemptthelittlepeoplewhomMissMattylovedsomuchtocomeabouther。Teainbrightgreencanisters，andcomfitsintumblers—MissMattyandIfeltquiteproudaswelookedroundusontheeveningbeforetheshopwastobeopened。
Marthahadscouredtheboardedfloortoawhitecleanness，anditwasadornedwithabrilliantpieceofoil—cloth，onwhichcustomersweretostandbeforethetable—counter。Thewholesomesmellofplasterandwhitewashpervadedtheapartment。Averysmall"MatildaJenkyns，licensedtoselltea，"washiddenunderthelintelofthenewdoor，andtwoboxesoftea，withcabalisticinscriptionsalloverthem，stoodreadytodisgorgetheircontentsintothecanisters。
MissMatty，asIoughttohavementionedbefore，hadhadsomescruplesofconscienceatsellingteawhentherewasalreadyMrJohnsoninthetown，whoincludeditamonghisnumerouscommodities；and，beforeshecouldquitereconcileherselftotheadoptionofhernewbusiness，shehadtrotteddowntohisshop，unknowntome，totellhimoftheprojectthatwasentertained，andtoinquireifitwaslikelytoinjurehisbusiness。Myfathercalledthisideaofhers"greatnonsense，"and"wonderedhowtradespeopleweretogetoniftherewastobeacontinualconsultingofeachother’sinterests，whichwouldputastoptoallcompetitiondirectly。"And，perhaps，itwouldnothavedoneinDrumble，butinCranforditansweredverywell；fornotonlydidMrJohnsonkindlyputatrestallMissMatty’sscruplesandfearofinjuringhisbusiness，butIhavereasontoknowherepeatedlysentcustomerstoher，sayingthattheteashekeptwereofacommonkind，butthatMissJenkynshadallthechoicesorts。Andexpensiveteaisaveryfavouriteluxurywithwell—to—dotradespeopleandrichfarmers’wives，whoturnuptheirnosesattheCongouandSouchongprevalentatmanytablesofgentility，andwillhavenothingelsethanGunpowderandPekoeforthemselves。
ButtoreturntoMissMatty。Itwasreallyverypleasanttoseehowherunselfishnessandsimplesenseofjusticecalledoutthesamegoodqualitiesinothers。Sheneverseemedtothinkanyonewouldimposeuponher，becausesheshouldbesogrievedtodoittothem。Ihaveheardherputastoptotheasseverationsofthemanwhobroughthercoalsbyquietlysaying，"Iamsureyouwouldbesorrytobringmewrongweight；"andifthecoalswereshortmeasurethattime，Idon’tbelievetheyeverwereagain。Peoplewouldhavefeltasmuchashamedofpresumingonhergoodfaithastheywouldhavedoneonthatofachild。Butmyfathersays"suchsimplicitymightbeverywellinCranford，butwouldneverdointheworld。"AndIfancytheworldmustbeverybad，forwithallmyfather’ssuspicionofeveryonewithwhomhehasdealings，andinspiteofallhismanyprecautions，helostupwardsofathousandpoundsbyrogueryonlylastyear。
IjuststayedlongenoughtoestablishMissMattyinhernewmodeoflife，andtopackupthelibrary，whichtherectorhadpurchased。HehadwrittenaverykindlettertoMissMatty，saying"howgladheshouldbetotakealibrary，sowellselectedasheknewthatthelateMrJenkyns’smusthavebeen，atanyvaluationputuponthem。"Andwhensheagreedtothis，withatouchofsorrowfulgladnessthattheywouldgobacktotherectoryandbearrangedontheaccustomedwallsoncemore，hesentwordthathefearedthathehadnotroomforthemall，andperhapsMissMattywouldkindlyallowhimtoleavesomevolumesonhershelves。ButMissMattysaidthatshehadherBibleand"Johnson’sDictionary，"
andshouldnothavemuchtimeforreading，shewasafraid；still，I
retainedafewbooksoutofconsiderationfortherector’skindness。
Themoneywhichhehadpaid，andthatproducedbythesale，waspartlyexpendedinthestockoftea，andpartofitwasinvestedagainstarainyday—I。E。oldageorillness。Itwasbutasmallsum，itistrue；anditoccasionedafewevasionsoftruthandwhitelies（allofwhichIthinkverywrongindeed—intheory—
andwouldrathernotputtheminpractice），forweknewMissMattywouldbeperplexedastoherdutyifshewereawareofanylittlereserve—fundbeingmadeforherwhilethedebtsofthebankremainedunpaid。Moreover，shehadneverbeentoldofthewayinwhichherfriendswerecontributingtopaytherent。Ishouldhavelikedtotellherthis，butthemysteryoftheaffairgaveapiquancytotheirdeedofkindnesswhichtheladieswereunwillingtogiveup；andatfirstMarthahadtoshirkmanyaperplexedquestionastoherwaysandmeansoflivinginsuchahouse，butby—and—byMissMatty’sprudentuneasinesssankdownintoacquiescencewiththeexistingarrangement。
IleftMissMattywithagoodheart。Hersalesofteaduringthefirsttwodayshadsurpassedmymostsanguineexpectations。Thewholecountryroundseemedtobealloutofteaatonce。TheonlyalterationIcouldhavedesiredinMissMatty’swayofdoingbusinesswas，thatsheshouldnothavesoplaintivelyentreatedsomeofhercustomersnottobuygreentea—runningitdownasaslowpoison，suretodestroythenerves，andproduceallmannerofevil。Theirpertinacityintakingit，inspiteofallherwarnings，distressedhersomuchthatIreallythoughtshewouldrelinquishthesaleofit，andsolosehalfhercustom；andIwasdriventomywits’endforinstancesoflongevityentirelyattributabletoaperseveringuseofgreentea。Butthefinalargument，whichsettledthequestion，wasahappyreferenceofminetothetrain—oilandtallowcandleswhichtheEsquimauxnotonlyenjoybutdigest。Afterthatsheacknowledgedthat"oneman’smeatmightbeanotherman’spoison，"andcontentedherselfthence—
forwardwithanoccasionalremonstrancewhenshethoughtthepurchaserwastooyoungandinnocenttobeacquaintedwiththeevileffectsgreenteaproducedonsomeconstitutions，andanhabitualsighwhenpeopleoldenoughtochoosemorewiselywouldpreferit。
IwentoverfromDrumbleonceaquarteratleasttosettletheaccounts，andseeafterthenecessarybusinessletters。And，speakingofletters，IbegantobeverymuchashamedofrememberingmylettertotheAgaJenkyns，andverygladIhadnevernamedmywritingtoanyone。Ionlyhopedtheletterwaslost。Noanswercame。Nosignwasmade。
AboutayearafterMissMattysetupshop，IreceivedoneofMartha’shieroglyphics，beggingmetocometoCranfordverysoon。
IwasafraidthatMissMattywasill，andwentoffthatveryafternoon，andtookMarthabysurprisewhenshesawmeonopeningthedoor。Wewentintothekitchenasusual，tohaveourconfidentialconference，andthenMarthatoldmeshewasexpectingherconfinementverysoon—inaweekortwo；andshedidnotthinkMissMattywasawareofit，andshewantedmetobreakthenewstoher，"forindeed，miss，"continuedMartha，cryinghysterically，"I’mafraidshewon’tapproveofit，andI’msureIdon’tknowwhoistotakecareofherassheshouldbetakencareofwhenIamlaidup。"
IcomfortedMarthabytellingherIwouldremaintillshewasaboutagain，andonlywishedshehadtoldmeherreasonforthissuddensummons，asthenIwouldhavebroughttherequisitestockofclothes。ButMarthawassotearfulandtender—spirited，andunlikeherusualself，thatIsaidaslittleaspossibleaboutmyself，andendeavouredrathertocomfortMarthaunderalltheprobableandpossiblemisfortuneswhichcamecrowdinguponherimagination。
Ithenstoleoutofthehouse—door，andmademyappearanceasifI
wereacustomerintheshop，justtotakeMissMattybysurprise，andgainanideaofhowshelookedinhernewsituation。ItwaswarmMayweather，soonlythelittlehalf—doorwasclosed；andMissMattysatbehindthecounter，knittinganelaboratepairofgarters；elaboratetheyseemedtome，butthedifficultstitchwasnoweightuponhermind，forshewassinginginalowvoicetoherselfasherneedleswentrapidlyinandout。Icallitsinging，butIdaresayamusicianwouldnotusethatwordtothetunelessyetsweethummingofthelowwornvoice。Ifoundoutfromthewords，farmorethanfromtheattemptatthetune，thatitwastheOldHundredthshewascrooningtoherself；butthequietcontinuoussoundtoldofcontent，andgavemeapleasantfeeling，asIstoodinthestreetjustoutsidethedoor，quiteinharmonywiththatsoftMaymorning。Iwentin。Atfirstshedidnotcatchwhoitwas，andstoodupasiftoserveme；butinanotherminutewatchfulpussyhadclutchedherknitting，whichwasdroppedineagerjoyatseeingme。Ifound，afterwehadhadalittleconversation，thatitwasasMarthasaid，andthatMissMattyhadnoideaoftheapproachinghouseholdevent。SoIthoughtIwouldletthingstaketheircourse，securethatwhenIwenttoherwiththebabyinmyarms，IshouldobtainthatforgivenessforMarthawhichshewasneedlesslyfrighteningherselfintobelievingthatMissMattywouldwithhold，undersomenotionthatthenewclaimantwouldrequireattentionsfromitsmotherthatitwouldbefaithlesstreasontoMissMattytorender。
ButIwasright。Ithinkthatmustbeanhereditaryquality，formyfathersaysheisscarcelyeverwrong。Onemorning，withinaweekafterIarrived，IwenttocallMissMatty，withalittlebundleofflannelinmyarms。Shewasverymuchawe—struckwhenI
showedherwhatitwas，andaskedforherspectaclesoffthedressing—table，andlookedatitcuriously，withasortoftenderwonderatitssmallperfectionofparts。Shecouldnotbanishthethoughtofthesurpriseallday，butwentaboutontiptoe，andwasverysilent。ButshestoleuptoseeMarthaandtheybothcriedwithjoy，andshegotintoacomplimentaryspeechtoJem，anddidnotknowhowtogetoutofitagain，andwasonlyextricatedfromherdilemmabythesoundoftheshop—bell，whichwasanequalrelieftotheshy，proud，honestJem，whoshookmyhandsovigorouslywhenIcongratulatedhim，thatIthinkIfeelthepainofityet。
IhadabusylifewhileMarthawaslaidup。IattendedonMissMatty，andpreparedhermeals；Icastupheraccounts，andexaminedintothestateofhercanistersandtumblers。Ihelpedher，too，occasionally，intheshop；anditgavemenosmallamusement，andsometimesalittleuneasiness，towatchherwaysthere。Ifalittlechildcameintoaskforanounceofalmond—comfits（andfourofthelargekindwhichMissMattysoldweighedthatmuch），shealwaysaddedonemoreby"wayofmake—weight，"asshecalledit，althoughthescalewashandsomelyturnedbefore；andwhenI
remonstratedagainstthis，herreplywas，"Thelittlethingslikeitsomuch！"Therewasnouseintellingherthatthefifthcomfitweighedaquarterofanounce，andmadeeverysaleintoalosstoherpocket。SoIrememberedthegreentea，andwingedmyshaftwithafeatheroutofherownplumage。Itoldherhowunwholesomealmond—comfitswere，andhowillexcessinthemmightmakethelittlechildren。Thisargumentproducedsomeeffect；for，henceforward，insteadofthefifthcomfit，shealwaystoldthemtoholdouttheirtinypalms，intowhichsheshookeitherpeppermintorgingerlozenges，asapreventivetothedangersthatmightarisefromtheprevioussale。Altogetherthelozengetrade，conductedontheseprinciples，didnotpromisetoberemunerative；butIwashappytofindshehadmademorethantwentypoundsduringthelastyearbyhersalesoftea；and，moreover，thatnowshewasaccustomedtoit，shedidnotdisliketheemployment，whichbroughtherintokindlyintercoursewithmanyofthepeopleroundabout。
Ifshegavethemgoodweight，they，intheirturn，broughtmanyalittlecountrypresenttothe"oldrector’sdaughter"；acreamcheese，afewnew—laideggs，alittlefreshripefruit，abunchofflowers。Thecounterwasquiteloadedwiththeseofferingssometimes，asshetoldme。
AsforCranfordingeneral，itwasgoingonmuchasusual。TheJamiesonandHogginsfeudstillraged，ifafeuditcouldbecalled，whenonlyonesidecaredmuchaboutit。MrandMrsHogginswereveryhappytogether，and，likemostveryhappypeople，quitereadytobefriendly；indeed，MrsHogginswasreallydesiroustoberestoredtoMrsJamieson’sgoodgraces，becauseoftheformerintimacy。ButMrsJamiesonconsideredtheirveryhappinessaninsulttotheGlenmirefamily，towhichshehadstillthehonourtobelong，andshedoggedlyrefusedandrejectedeveryadvance。MrMulliner，likeafaithfulclansman，espousedhismistress’sidewithardour。IfhesaweitherMrorMrsHoggins，hewouldcrossthestreet，andappearabsorbedinthecontemplationoflifeingeneral，andhisownpathinparticular，untilhehadpassedthemby。MissPoleusedtoamuseherselfwithwonderingwhatintheworldMrsJamiesonwoulddo，ifeithershe，orMrMulliner，oranyothermemberofherhouseholdwastakenill；shecouldhardlyhavethefacetocallinMrHogginsafterthewayshehadbehavedtothem。MissPolegrewquiteimpatientforsomeindispositionoraccidenttobefallMrsJamiesonorherdependents，inorderthatCranfordmightseehowshewouldactundertheperplexingcircumstances。
Marthawasbeginningtogoaboutagain，andIhadalreadyfixedalimit，notveryfardistant，tomyvisit，whenoneafternoon，asI
wassittingintheshop—parlourwithMissMatty—IremembertheweatherwascoldernowthanithadbeeninMay，threeweeksbefore，andwehadafireandkeptthedoorfullyclosed—wesawagentlemangoslowlypastthewindow，andthenstandoppositetothedoor，asiflookingoutforthenamewhichwehadsocarefullyhidden。Hetookoutadoubleeyeglassandpeeredaboutforsometimebeforehecoulddiscoverit。Thenhecamein。And，allonasudden，itflashedacrossmethatitwastheAgahimself！Forhisclotheshadanout—of—the—wayforeigncutaboutthem，andhisfacewasdeepbrown，asiftannedandre—tannedbythesun。Hiscomplexioncontrastedoddlywithhisplentifulsnow—whitehair，hiseyesweredarkandpiercing，andhehadanoddwayofcontractingthemandpuckeringuphischeeksintoinnumerablewrinkleswhenhelookedearnestlyatobjects。HedidsotoMissMattywhenhefirstcamein。Hisglancehadfirstcaughtandlingeredalittleuponme，butthenturned，withthepeculiarsearchinglookIhavedescribed，toMissMatty。Shewasalittleflutteredandnervous，butnomoresothanshealwayswaswhenanymancameintohershop。
Shethoughtthathewouldprobablyhaveanote，orasovereignatleast，forwhichshewouldhavetogivechange，whichwasanoperationsheverymuchdislikedtoperform。Butthepresentcustomerstoodoppositetoher，withoutaskingforanything，onlylookingfixedlyatherashedrummeduponthetablewithhisfingers，justforalltheworldasMissJenkynsusedtodo。MissMattywasonthepointofaskinghimwhathewanted（asshetoldmeafterwards），whenheturnedsharptome："IsyournameMarySmith？"
"Yes！"saidI。
Allmydoubtsastohisidentityweresetatrest，andIonlywonderedwhathewouldsayordonext，andhowMissMattywouldstandthejoyfulshockofwhathehadtoreveal。Apparentlyhewasatalosshowtoannouncehimself，forhelookedroundatlastinsearchofsomethingtobuy，soastogaintime，and，asithappened，hiseyecaughtonthealmond—comfits，andheboldlyaskedforapoundof"thosethings。"IdoubtifMissMattyhadawholepoundintheshop，and，besidestheunusualmagnitudeoftheorder，shewasdistressedwiththeideaoftheindigestiontheywouldproduce，takeninsuchunlimitedquantities。Shelookeduptoremonstrate。Somethingoftenderrelaxationinhisfacestruckhometoherheart。Shesaid，"Itis—oh，sir！canyoubePeter？"
andtrembledfromheadtofoot。Inamomenthewasroundthetableandhadherinhisarms，sobbingthetearlesscriesofoldage。I
broughtheraglassofwine，forindeedhercolourhadchangedsoastoalarmmeandMrPetertoo。Hekeptsaying，"Ihavebeentoosuddenforyou，Matty—Ihave，mylittlegirl。"
Iproposedthatsheshouldgoatonceupintothedrawing—roomandliedownonthesofathere。Shelookedwistfullyatherbrother，whosehandshehadheldtight，evenwhennearlyfainting；butonhisassuringherthathewouldnotleaveher，sheallowedhimtocarryherupstairs。
IthoughtthatthebestIcoulddowastorunandputthekettleonthefireforearlytea，andthentoattendtotheshop，leavingthebrotherandsistertoexchangesomeofthemanythousandthingstheymusthavetosay。IhadalsotobreakthenewstoMartha，whoreceiveditwithaburstoftearswhichnearlyinfectedme。ShekeptrecoveringherselftoaskifIwassureitwasindeedMissMatty’sbrother，forIhadmentionedthathehadgreyhair，andshehadalwaysheardthathewasaveryhandsomeyoungman。SomethingofthesamekindperplexedMissMattyattea—time，whenshewasinstalledinthegreateasy—chairoppositetoMrJenkynsinordertogazeherfill。Shecouldhardlydrinkforlookingathim，andasforeating，thatwasoutofthequestion。
"Isupposehotclimatesagepeopleveryquickly，"saidshe，almosttoherself。"WhenyouleftCranfordyouhadnotagreyhairinyourhead。"
"Buthowmanyyearsagoisthat？"saidMrPeter，smiling。
"Ah，true！yes，IsupposeyouandIaregettingold。ButstillI
didnotthinkweweresoveryold！Butwhitehairisverybecomingtoyou，Peter，"shecontinued—alittleafraidlestshehadhurthimbyrevealinghowhisappearancehadimpressedher。
"IsupposeIforgotdatestoo，Matty，forwhatdoyouthinkIhavebroughtforyoufromIndia？IhaveanIndianmuslingownandapearlnecklaceforyousomewhereinmychestatPortsmouth。"Hesmiledasifamusedattheideaoftheincongruityofhispresentswiththeappearanceofhissister；butthisdidnotstrikeherallatonce，whiletheeleganceofthearticlesdid。Icouldseethatforamomentherimaginationdweltcomplacentlyontheideaofherselfthusattired；andinstinctivelysheputherhanduptoherthroat—thatlittledelicatethroatwhich（asMissPolehadtoldme）hadbeenoneofheryouthfulcharms；butthehandmetthetouchoffoldsofsoftmuslininwhichshewasalwaysswatheduptoherchin，andthesensationrecalledasenseoftheunsuitablenessofapearlnecklacetoherage。Shesaid，"I’mafraidI’mtooold；butitwasverykindofyoutothinkofit。TheyarejustwhatI
shouldhavelikedyearsago—whenIwasyoung。"
"SoIthought，mylittleMatty。Irememberedyourtastes；theyweresolikemydearmother’s。"Atthementionofthatnamethebrotherandsisterclaspedeachother’shandsyetmorefondly，and，althoughtheywereperfectlysilent，Ifanciedtheymighthavesomethingtosayiftheywereuncheckedbymypresence，andIgotuptoarrangemyroomforMrPeter’soccupationthatnight，intendingmyselftoshareMissMatty’sbed。Butatmymovement，hestartedup。"Imustgoandsettleaboutaroomatthe’George。’
Mycarpet—bagistheretoo。"
"No！"saidMissMatty，ingreatdistress—"youmustnotgo；
please，dearPeter—pray，Mary—oh！youmustnotgo！"
Shewassomuchagitatedthatwebothpromisedeverythingshewished。Petersatdownagainandgaveherhishand，whichforbettersecuritysheheldinbothofhers，andIlefttheroomtoaccomplishmyarrangements。
Long，longintothenight，far，farintothemorning，didMissMattyandItalk。Shehadmuchtotellmeofherbrother’slifeandadventures，whichhehadcommunicatedtoherastheyhadsatalone。Shesaidallwasthoroughlycleartoher；butIneverquiteunderstoodthewholestory；andwheninafterdaysIlostmyaweofMrPeterenoughtoquestionhimmyself，helaughedatmycuriosity，andtoldmestoriesthatsoundedsoverymuchlikeBaronMunchausen’s，thatIwassurehewasmakingfunofme。WhatI
heardfromMissMattywasthathehadbeenavolunteeratthesiegeofRangoon；hadbeentakenprisonerbytheBurmese；andsomehowobtainedfavourandeventualfreedomfromknowinghowtobleedthechiefofthesmalltribeinsomecaseofdangerousillness；thatonhisreleasefromyearsofcaptivityhehadhadhislettersreturnedfromEnglandwiththeominousword"Dead"markeduponthem；and，believinghimselftobethelastofhisrace，hehadsettleddownasanindigoplanter，andhadproposedtospendtheremainderofhislifeinthecountrytowhoseinhabitantsandmodesoflifehehadbecomehabituated，whenmyletterhadreachedhim；and，withtheoddvehemencewhichcharacterisedhiminageasithaddoneinyouth，hehadsoldhislandandallhispossessionstothefirstpurchaser，andcomehometothepooroldsister，whowasmoregladandrichthananyprincesswhenshelookedathim。Shetalkedmetosleepatlast，andthenIwasawakenedbyaslightsoundatthedoor，forwhichshebeggedmypardonasshecreptpenitentlyintobed；butitseemsthatwhenIcouldnolongerconfirmherbeliefthatthelong—lostwasreallyhere—underthesameroof—shehadbeguntofearlestitwasonlyawakingdreamofhers；thatthereneverhadbeenaPetersittingbyherallthatblessedevening—
butthattherealPeterlaydeadfarawaybeneathsomewildsea—
wave，orundersomestrangeeasterntree。Andsostronghadthisnervousfeelingofhersbecome，thatshewasfaintogetupandgoandconvinceherselfthathewasreallytherebylisteningthroughthedoortohiseven，regularbreathing—Idon’tliketocallitsnoring，butIhearditmyselfthroughtwocloseddoors—andby—
and—byitsoothedMissMattytosleep。
Idon’tbelieveMrPetercamehomefromIndiaasrichasanabob；
heevenconsideredhimselfpoor，butneitherhenorMissMattycaredmuchaboutthat。Atanyrate，hehadenoughtoliveupon"verygenteelly"atCranford；heandMissMattytogether。Andadayortwoafterhisarrival，theshopwasclosed，whiletroopsoflittleurchinsgleefullyawaitedtheshowerofcomfitsandlozengesthatcamefromtimetotimedownupontheirfacesastheystoodup—
gazingatMissMatty’sdrawing—roomwindows。OccasionallyMissMattywouldsaytothem（half—hiddenbehindthecurtains），"Mydearchildren，don’tmakeyourselvesill；"butastrongarmpulledherback，andamorerattlingshowerthaneversucceeded。ApartoftheteawassentinpresentstotheCranfordladies；andsomeofitwasdistributedamongtheoldpeoplewhorememberedMrPeterinthedaysofhisfrolicsomeyouth。TheIndianmuslingownwasreservedfordarlingFloraGordon（MissJessieBrown’sdaughter）。TheGordonshadbeenontheContinentforthelastfewyears，butwerenowexpectedtoreturnverysoon；andMissMatty，inhersisterlypride，anticipatedgreatdelightinthejoyofshowingthemMrPeter。Thepearlnecklacedisappeared；andaboutthattimemanyhandsomeandusefulpresentsmadetheirappearanceinthehouseholdsofMissPoleandMrsForrester；andsomerareanddelicateIndianornamentsgracedthedrawing—roomsofMrsJamiesonandMrsFitz—Adam。Imyselfwasnotforgotten。Amongotherthings，Ihadthehandsomest—boundandbesteditionofDrJohnson’sworksthatcouldbeprocured；anddearMissMatty，withtearsinhereyes，beggedmetoconsideritasapresentfromhersisteraswellasherself。Inshort，noonewasforgotten；and，whatwasmore，everyone，howeverinsignificant，whohadshownkindnesstoMissMattyatanytime，wassureofMrPeter’scordialregard。
CHAPTERXVI—PEACETOCRANFORD
ITwasnotsurprisingthatMrPeterbecamesuchafavouriteatCranford。Theladiesviedwitheachotherwhoshouldadmirehimmost；andnowonder，fortheirquietliveswereastonishinglystirredupbythearrivalfromIndia—especiallyasthepersonarrivedtoldmorewonderfulstoriesthanSindbadtheSailor；and，asMissPolesaid，wasquiteasgoodasanArabianNightanyevening。Formyownpart，IhadvibratedallmylifebetweenDrumbleandCranford，andIthoughtitwasquitepossiblethatallMrPeter’sstoriesmightbetrue，althoughwonderful；butwhenI
foundthat，ifweswallowedananecdoteoftolerablemagnitudeoneweek，wehadthedoseconsiderablyincreasedthenext，Ibegantohavemydoubts；especiallyasInoticedthatwhenhissisterwaspresenttheaccountsofIndianlifewerecomparativelytame；notthatsheknewmorethanwedid，perhapsless。Inoticedalsothatwhentherectorcametocall，MrPetertalkedinadifferentwayaboutthecountrieshehadbeenin。ButIdon’tthinktheladiesinCranfordwouldhaveconsideredhimsuchawonderfultravelleriftheyhadonlyheardhimtalkinthequietwayhedidtohim。Theylikedhimthebetter，indeed，forbeingwhattheycalled"soveryOriental。"
Oneday，ataselectpartyinhishonour，whichMissPolegave，andfromwhich，asMrsJamiesonhonoureditwithherpresence，andhadevenofferedtosendMrMullinertowait，MrandMrsHogginsandMrsFitz—Adamwerenecessarily—excludedonedayatMissPole’s，MrPetersaidhewastiredofsittinguprightagainstthehard—
backeduneasychairs，andaskedifhemightnotindulgehimselfinsittingcross—legged。MissPole’sconsentwaseagerlygiven，anddownhewentwiththeutmostgravity。ButwhenMissPoleaskedme，inanaudiblewhisper，"ifhedidnotremindmeoftheFatheroftheFaithful？"IcouldnothelpthinkingofpoorSimonJones，thelametailor，andwhileMrsJamiesonslowlycommentedontheeleganceandconvenienceoftheattitude，Irememberedhowwehadallfollowedthatlady’sleadincondemningMrHogginsforvulgaritybecausehesimplycrossedhislegsashesatstillonhischair。ManyofMrPeter’swaysofeatingwerealittlestrangeamongstsuchladiesasMissPole，andMissMatty，andMrsJamieson，especiallywhenIrecollectedtheuntastedgreenpeasandtwo—
prongedforksatpoorMrHolbrook’sdinner。
Thementionofthatgentleman’snamerecallstomymindaconversationbetweenMrPeterandMissMattyoneeveninginthesummerafterhereturnedtoCranford。Thedayhadbeenveryhot，andMissMattyhadbeenmuchoppressedbytheweather，intheheatofwhichherbrotherrevelled。IrememberthatshehadbeenunabletonurseMartha’sbaby，whichhadbecomeherfavouriteemploymentoflate，andwhichwasasmuchathomeinherarmsasinitsmother’s，aslongasitremainedalight—weight，portablebyonesofragileasMissMatty。ThisdaytowhichIrefer，MissMattyhadseemedmorethanusuallyfeebleandlanguid，andonlyrevivedwhenthesunwentdown，andhersofawaswheeledtotheopenwindow，throughwhich，althoughitlookedintotheprincipalstreetofCranford，thefragrantsmelloftheneighbouringhayfieldscameineverynowandthen，bornebythesoftbreezesthatstirredthedullairofthesummertwilight，andthendiedaway。Thesilenceofthesultryatmospherewaslostinthemurmuringnoiseswhichcameinfrommanyanopenwindowanddoor；eventhechildrenwereabroadinthestreet，lateasitwas（betweentenandeleven），enjoyingthegameofplayforwhichtheyhadnothadspiritsduringtheheatoftheday。ItwasasourceofsatisfactiontoMissMattytoseehowfewcandleswerelighted，evenintheapartmentsofthosehousesfromwhichissuedthegreatestsignsoflife。MrPeter，MissMatty，andIhadallbeenquiet，eachwithaseparatereverie，forsomelittletime，whenMrPeterbrokein—
"Doyouknow，littleMatty，IcouldhaveswornyouwereonthehighroadtomatrimonywhenIleftEnglandthatlasttime！Ifanybodyhadtoldmeyouwouldhavelivedanddiedanoldmaidthen，I
shouldhavelaughedintheirfaces。"
MissMattymadenoreply，andItriedinvaintothinkofsomesubjectwhichshouldeffectuallyturntheconversation；butIwasverystupid；andbeforeIspokehewenton—
"ItwasHolbrook，thatfinemanlyfellowwholivedatWoodley，thatIusedtothinkwouldcarryoffmylittleMatty。Youwouldnotthinkitnow，Idaresay，Mary；butthissisterofminewasonceaveryprettygirl—atleast，Ithoughtso，andsoI’veanotiondidpoorHolbrook。WhatbusinesshadhetodiebeforeIcamehometothankhimforallhiskindnesstoagood—for—nothingcubasIwas？
Itwasthatthatmademefirstthinkhecaredforyou；forinallourfishingexpeditionsitwasMatty，Matty，wetalkedabout。PoorDeborah！Whatalectureshereadmeonhavingaskedhimhometolunchoneday，whenshehadseentheArleycarriageinthetown，andthoughtthatmyladymightcall。Well，that’slongyearsago；
morethanhalfalife—time，andyetitseemslikeyesterday！I
don’tknowafellowIshouldhavelikedbetterasabrother—in—law。
Youmusthaveplayedyourcardsbadly，mylittleMatty，somehoworanother—wantedyourbrothertobeagoodgo—between，eh，littleone？"saidhe，puttingouthishandtotakeholdofhersasshelayonthesofa。"Why，what’sthis？you’reshiveringandshaking，Matty，withthatconfoundedopenwindow。Shutit，Mary，thisminute！"
Ididso，andthenstoopeddowntokissMissMatty，andseeifshereallywerechilled。Shecaughtatmyhand，andgaveitahardsqueeze—butunconsciously，Ithink—forinaminuteortwoshespoketousquiteinherusualvoice，andsmiledouruneasinessaway，althoughshepatientlysubmittedtotheprescriptionsweenforcedofawarmbedandaglassofweaknegus。IwastoleaveCranfordthenextday，andbeforeIwentIsawthatalltheeffectsoftheopenwindowhadquitevanished。Ihadsuperintendedmostofthealterationsnecessaryinthehouseandhouseholdduringthelatterweeksofmystay。Theshopwasoncemoreaparlour：theemptyresoundingroomsagainfurnisheduptotheverygarrets。
TherehadbeensometalkofestablishingMarthaandJeminanotherhouse，butMissMattywouldnothearofthis。Indeed，IneversawhersomuchrousedaswhenMissPolehadassumedittobethemostdesirablearrangement。AslongasMarthawouldremainwithMissMatty，MissMattywasonlytoothankfultohaveherabouther；yes，andJemtoo，whowasaverypleasantmantohaveinthehouse，forsheneversawhimfromweek’sendtoweek’send。Andasfortheprobablechildren，iftheywouldallturnoutsuchlittledarlingsashergod—daughter，Matilda，sheshouldnotmindthenumber，ifMarthadidn’t。Besides，thenextwastobecalledDeborah—apointwhichMissMattyhadreluctantlyyieldedtoMartha’sstubborndeterminationthatherfirst—bornwastobeMatilda。SoMissPolehadtolowerhercolours，andevenhervoice，asshesaidtomethat，asMrandMrsHearnwerestilltogoonlivinginthesamehousewithMissMatty，wehadcertainlydoneawisethinginhiringMartha’snieceasanauxiliary。
IleftMissMattyandMrPetermostcomfortableandcontented；theonlysubjectforregrettothetenderheartoftheone，andthesocialfriendlynatureoftheother，beingtheunfortunatequarrelbetweenMrsJamiesonandtheplebeianHogginsesandtheirfollowing。Injoke，IprophesiedonedaythatthiswouldonlylastuntilMrsJamiesonorMrMullinerwereill，inwhichcasetheywouldonlybetoogladtobefriendswithMrHoggins；butMissMattydidnotlikemylookingforwardtoanythinglikeillnessinsolightamanner，andbeforetheyearwasoutallhadcomeroundinafarmoresatisfactoryway。
IreceivedtwoCranfordlettersononeauspiciousOctobermorning。
BothMissPoleandMissMattywrotetoaskmetocomeoverandmeettheGordons，whohadreturnedtoEnglandaliveandwellwiththeirtwochildren，nowalmostgrownup。DearJessieBrownhadkeptheroldkindnature，althoughshehadchangedhernameandstation；andshewrotetosaythatsheandMajorGordonexpectedtobeinCranfordonthefourteenth，andshehopedandbeggedtoberememberedtoMrsJamieson（namedfirst，asbecameherhonourablestation），MissPoleandMissMatty—couldsheeverforgettheirkindnesstoherpoorfatherandsister？—MrsForrester，MrHoggins（andhereagaincameinanallusiontokindnessshowntothedeadlongago），hisnewwife，whoassuchmustallowMrsGordontodesiretomakeheracquaintance，andwhowas，moreover，anoldScotchfriendofherhusband’s。Inshort，everyonewasnamed，fromtherector—whohadbeenappointedtoCranfordintheinterimbetweenCaptainBrown’sdeathandMissJessie’smarriage，andwasnowassociatedwiththelatterevent—downtoMissBettyBarker。
Allwereaskedtotheluncheon；allexceptMrsFitz—Adam，whohadcometoliveinCranfordsinceMissJessieBrown’sdays，andwhomI
foundrathermopingonaccountoftheomission。PeoplewonderedatMissBettyBarker’sbeingincludedinthehonourablelist；but，then，asMissPolesaid，wemustrememberthedisregardofthegenteelproprietiesoflifeinwhichthepoorcaptainhadeducatedhisgirls，andforhissakeweswallowedourpride。Indeed，MrsJamiesonrathertookitasacompliment，asputtingMissBetty（formerlyHERmaid）onalevelwith"thoseHogginses。"
ButwhenIarrivedinCranford，nothingwasasyetascertainedofMrsJamieson’sownintentions；wouldthehonourableladygo，orwouldshenot？MrPeterdeclaredthatsheshouldandshewould；
MissPoleshookherheadanddesponded。ButMrPeterwasamanofresources。Inthefirstplace，hepersuadedMissMattytowritetoMrsGordon，andtotellherofMrsFitz—Adam’sexistence，andtobegthatonesokind，andcordial，andgenerous，mightbeincludedinthepleasantinvitation。Ananswercamebackbyreturnofpost，withaprettylittlenoteforMrsFitz—Adam，andarequestthatMissMattywoulddeliveritherselfandexplainthepreviousomission。MrsFitz—Adamwasaspleasedascouldbe，andthankedMissMattyoverandoveragain。MrPeterhadsaid，"LeaveMrsJamiesontome；"sowedid；especiallyasweknewnothingthatwecoulddotoalterherdeterminationifonceformed。
Ididnotknow，nordidMissMatty，howthingsweregoingon，untilMissPoleaskedme，justthedaybeforeMrsGordoncame，ifI
thoughttherewasanythingbetweenMrPeterandMrsJamiesoninthematrimonialline，forthatMrsJamiesonwasreallygoingtothelunchatthe"George。"ShehadsentMrMullinerdowntodesirethattheremightbeafootstoolputtothewarmestseatintheroom，asshemeanttocome，andknewthattheirchairswereveryhigh。MissPolehadpickedthispieceofnewsup，andfromitsheconjecturedallsortsofthings，andbemoanedyetmore。"IfPetershouldmarry，whatwouldbecomeofpoordearMissMatty？AndMrsJamieson，ofallpeople！"MissPoleseemedtothinktherewereotherladiesinCranfordwhowouldhavedonemorecredittohischoice，andIthinkshemusthavehadsomeonewhowasunmarriedinherhead，forshekeptsaying，"Itwassowantingindelicacyinawidowtothinkofsuchathing。"
WhenIgotbacktoMissMatty’sIreallydidbegintothinkthatMrPetermightbethinkingofMrsJamiesonforawife，andIwasasunhappyasMissPoleaboutit。Hehadtheproofsheetofagreatplacardinhishand。"SignorBrunoni，MagiciantotheKingofDelhi，theRajahofOude，andthegreatLamaofThibet，"&c。&c。，wasgoingto"performinCranfordforonenightonly，"theverynextnight；andMissMatty，exultant，showedmealetterfromtheGordons，promisingtoremainoverthisgaiety，whichMissMattysaidwasentirelyPeter’sdoing。Hehadwrittentoaskthesignortocome，andwastobeatalltheexpensesoftheaffair。Ticketsweretobesentgratistoasmanyastheroomwouldhold。Inshort，MissMattywascharmedwiththeplan，andsaidthatto—
morrowCranfordwouldremindherofthePrestonGuild，towhichshehadbeeninheryouth—aluncheonatthe"George，"withthedearGordons，andthesignorintheAssemblyRoomintheevening。ButI
—Ilookedonlyatthefatalwords：—
"UNDERTHEPATRONAGEOFTHEHONOURABLEMRSJAMIESON。"
She，then，waschosentopresideoverthisentertainmentofMrPeter’s；shewasperhapsgoingtodisplacemydearMissMattyinhisheart，andmakeherlifelonelyoncemore！Icouldnotlookforwardtothemorrowwithanypleasure；andeveryinnocentanticipationofMissMatty’sonlyservedtoaddtomyannoyance。
So，angryandirritated，andexaggeratingeverylittleincidentwhichcouldaddtomyirritation，Iwentontillwewereallassembledinthegreatparlouratthe"George。"MajorandMrsGordonandprettyFloraandMrLudovicwereallasbrightandhandsomeandfriendlyascouldbe；butIcouldhardlyattendtothemforwatchingMrPeter，andIsawthatMissPolewasequallybusy。IhadneverseenMrsJamiesonsorousedandanimatedbefore；
herfacelookedfullofinterestinwhatMrPeterwassaying。I
drewneartolisten。MyreliefwasgreatwhenIcaughtthathiswordswerenotwordsoflove，butthat，forallhisgraveface，hewasathisoldtricks。HewastellingherofhistravelsinIndia，anddescribingthewonderfulheightoftheHimalayamountains：onetouchafteranotheraddedtotheirsize，andeachexceededtheformerinabsurdity；butMrsJamiesonreallyenjoyedallinperfectgoodfaith。Isupposesherequiredstrongstimulantstoexcitehertocomeoutofherapathy。MrPeterwounduphisaccountbysayingthat，ofcourse，atthataltitudetherewerenoneoftheanimalstobefoundthatexistedinthelowerregions；thegame，—everythingwasdifferent。Firingonedayatsomeflyingcreature，hewasverymuchdismayedwhenitfell，tofindthathehadshotacherubim！
MrPetercaughtmyeyeatthismoment，andgavemesuchafunnytwinkle，thatIfeltsurehehadnothoughtsofMrsJamiesonasawifefromthattime。Shelookeduncomfortablyamazed—
"But，MrPeter，shootingacherubim—don’tyouthink—Iamafraidthatwassacrilege！"
MrPetercomposedhiscountenanceinamoment，andappearedshockedattheidea，which，ashesaidtrulyenough，wasnowpresentedtohimforthefirsttime；butthenMrsJamiesonmustrememberthathehadbeenlivingforalongtimeamongsavages—allofwhomwereheathens—someofthem，hewasafraid，weredownrightDissenters。
Then，seeingMissMattydrawnear，hehastilychangedtheconversation，andafteralittlewhile，turningtome，hesaid，"Don’tbeshocked，primlittleMary，atallmywonderfulstories。
IconsiderMrsJamiesonfairgame，andbesidesIambentonpropitiatingher，andthefirststeptowardsitiskeepingherwellawake。Ibribedherherebyaskinghertoletmehavehernameaspatronessformypoorconjurorthisevening；andIdon’twanttogivehertimeenoughtogetupherrancouragainsttheHogginses，whoarejustcomingin。Iwanteverybodytobefriends，foritharassesMattysomuchtohearofthesequarrels。Ishallgoatitagainby—and—by，soyouneednotlookshocked。IintendtoentertheAssemblyRoomto—nightwithMrsJamiesonononeside，andmylady，MrsHoggins，ontheother。YouseeifIdon’t。"
Somehoworanotherhedid；andfairlygotthemintoconversationtogether。MajorandMrsGordonhelpedatthegoodworkwiththeirperfectignoranceofanyexistingcoolnessbetweenanyoftheinhabitantsofCranford。
EversincethatdaytherehasbeentheoldfriendlysociabilityinCranfordsociety；whichIamthankfulfor，becauseofmydearMissMatty’sloveofpeaceandkindliness。WeallloveMissMatty，andIsomehowthinkweareallofusbetterwhensheisnearus。